[statecom] Delegates at national convention

[Wanda Boeke]

Dan,

I have read your proposal (for submission to April 12 SC meeting) and would
again bring to your attention the breadth of the Green Party's own previous
nomination convention floor rules:

(URL: http://www.thegreenpapers.com/T04/Gr-Floor.phtml)
"Delegates may vote for any candidate or any non-candidate option during the
first round. If there is a first-round winner, that candidate must formally
accept nomination, or that candidate becomes ineligible and the voting
proceeds to the second round.

After the first round of voting, candidates who have not formally indicated
in writing their willingness to accept nomination and to allow their names
to be placed on all state ballots shall be ineligible to receive votes in
subsequent rounds."

Unless I have misunderstood, your proposal would undercut what appears to be
a wider democratic process already in place at the national convention by
limiting our delegates even before arriving at the convention. The
convention will undoubtedly have the "in writing" clause again in the
nomination floor rules. That is, candidates not intending to accept
nomination on the GP ballot in writing (such acceptance evidently provided
prior to or during the convention) cannot be eligible candidates for
nomination.

I understand the various fears of endorsement maneuvering etc. - however, if
current "non-candidate" Nader were to have a substantial delegate showing at
the national convention, then he has support (whether anyone likes that idea
or not), just like any other candidate or non-candidate.

Remember, I was one of the (few) people who encouraged 'only Green'
candidates on our ballot (and the Berkshire local submitted that proposal at
the 2004 annual meeting). I still stand behind this, but I stand even more
behind what voters want. If voters around the country still want Nader and
the draft Nader folks get a substantial following who are Greens, and he
were to accept such nomination, then this is the will of (a portion of) the
national votership.

I definitely support votership, not (perceived?) censorship. Apologies if I
have misunderstood your proposal.

Wanda
Berkshire County